Safety Belt Regulations in Ceramics: At What Height Is It Mandatory?

Dear All,

Our industry is in ceramics. I would like to inquire about the height limit for working without a safety belt. Specifically, at what height and above should a safety belt be worn? If there are any relevant regulations in place, please kindly inform me.

Thank you.

Understanding Fall Protection Requirements

A suitable question at this juncture. Many people have doubts about fall protection requirements. Most of them seek shelter under regulations. Of course, regulations are helpful, and a few areas cannot be managed without stringent statutes. My answers are with a broader perspective and in an industrial context.

A person can fall on the same level or from any height. We consider falls from heights seriously, though falling on the same level cannot be taken lightly. Here, fall protection needed at height is considered.

We can protect a person from falling to a lower level by:
- Fall protection system
- Fall arrest system

Examples of fall protection systems are parapets on a terrace, guardrails, barricading, or covering of openings at height, and so on. Examples of fall arrest systems are full-body harnesses with lanyards, positioning devices, nets, and so on.

Determining the Required Height for Fall Protection

Here the question is: at what height do we need fall protection? The answer is any height from where a person can fall and sustain an injury. This answer is not satisfactory. Here we have to analyze: a fall from what height can cause severe injury or fatality? A fall from 0.3 meters to 1.2 meters seldom results in fatality. However, falls from a height of 1.8 meters mostly result in severe head injuries and fatality. With the above, one can easily conclude that over 1.8 meters, we need fall protection, and it is as simple as that.

Now the regulations vary from country to country. In India, it is over 3 meters. In the USA, as per OSHA, for general industry, it is over 1.2 meters, and in construction, 1.8 meters.

Safety Harness Usage

Coming back to your posting, please note that the use of a safety belt is not advised, and it is better to avoid it. We have to advise the use of a full-body harness only, and there are solid reasons behind it. At what height can you work without a safety harness? The answer is: at any height where another means of fall protection system is provided!

For using a safety harness with a 1.8-meter lanyard, the minimum free fall distance should be +4 meters. However, with a shock-absorbing lanyard, the minimum free fall distance should be 6 meters, without which the use of a safety harness is of no use.

Hope you make it.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Thank you for the clarification. One more thing I would like to know is that you mentioned that, as per regulations in India, anything over 3 meters is considered a potential hazard for falling and requires safety measures to be implemented. Where can I find this information in writing, such as which act states this? The reason I am asking is that I am in the process of setting safety standards for my factory, so I need to understand the regulatory aspect of it. Additionally, could you please assist me in finding websites where I can obtain information related to safety and health? I am new to safety practices, and I would greatly appreciate the support of experienced professionals like yourself. Kindly assist me.

Regards,
Chaitra

Dear Kesava Sir, Thanks for yet another wonderful posting.

Dear Chaitra, It's nice to know that you are setting a standard for Work at Height. You already received very specific answers to your first query from Kesava Pillai Sir.

Now, regarding the citation from legislation regarding the permitted height from where a Safety Harness is required, it differs from state to state in India. The specific reference can be found in the state factories rules, and if it's not there, you can refer to your company rules. Many companies in India have a policy of 1.5m, 1.8m, 2m, etc.

Examples from the State Factories Rules:

1. Punjab Factories Rules 1952:

When any person is required or allowed to work at a place not affording adequate hold and foothold and from which he is liable to fall from a height of 1.80 meters or more, he shall be provided with a safety belt fitted with leather shoulder straps of not less than 5 cm in width with a 'D Ring' at the back and a rope fastened thereon. The other end of the rope shall be securely tied or hooked to some suitable rigid fixture to ensure the safety of the workers. In case it is not possible to tie or hook the other end of the rope of the safety belt to a suitable rigid fixture, the worker shall be provided with some other type of safety belt to ensure their safety. It shall be the responsibility of the occupier and manager of the factory to ensure that every worker engaged in such operations uses these belts and other safety equipment. These belts and other equipment shall be examined and declared fit for use every six months by a competent person. The record of examination of these belts and other equipment by the said competent person shall be maintained in a bound register, which shall be produced on demand by an inspector.

2. Goa Factories Rules, 1985:

Whenever any worker is engaged in work at a place from which they are liable to fall more than 2 meters, they shall be provided with safety belts equipped with lifelines that are secured with a minimum of slacks to a fixed structure unless any other effective means, such as provisions of guardrails or ropes, are taken to prevent their falling.

Please refer to your specific state factories rules for this citation.

Hope this helps.